Cubs 4, Nationals 3

In Postgame by berselius200 Comments

OSS: Bote!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three up:

  1. David Bote hit a walkoff grand slam to dead center and turned a shutout into a win. Bote’s homer was worth .901 WPA, which is about as big as it can get in a single PA. If WPA took into account the fact that he had two strikes at the time, it would be even bigger. Bote now has a .329/.418/.539 slash line on the year.  The legend grows.
  2. Overshadowed by Bote’s heroics and Scherzer’s gem on the other side of the diamond, Cole Hamels had a fantastic start. Hamels went seven innings, striking out 9 and allowing just one hit and one walk. Unfortunately those were in the same inning and the Nats plated a run on a sac fly. So far it looks like the whole change of scenery thing is working out okay, and Hamels is probably the guy you would trust most to take the ball in a win or go home situation. Not bad for a guy who was kind of an afterthought a month ago, and who some of us cheered simply for finally pushing Chatwood out of the rotation.
  3. Aside from the Bote-bomb, the most consequential play in the ninth that the Cubs had something to do with aside from being hit by a baseball was Heyward legging out an infield ‘single’ that started the rally. Difo may have bobbled the grounder, but Heyward busting his ass down the line certainly had something to do with it.

Three down:

  1. Brandon Kintzler crapped the bed a bit against his former teammates, allowing some insurance runs to the Nats in the ninth. At least Justin Wilson managed to limit the damage this time. I was jumping between the TV and radio while finishing cooking dinner and my broadcast was behind a bit, which made me think for longer than it should have that the Nats scored another two runs off of Wilson to make it 5-1.
  2. Kintzler didn’t get a ton of help from War Bear on the triple by Turner, and the Cubs intentionally walked Harper for the 100th time in the past few years and got burned yet again.
  3. The Cubs offense had nothing going until the ninth, but Scherzer is pretty good. At least they were being shut down by the likely CYA winner and not some rando this time around.

Next up: The Cubs have a day off, then a two game set against the Brewers. The Cubs are three games up in the division (and five in the loss column), and I’m hoping to bust out that Counsell pic a few more times this week. The Cubs have Quintana and Hendricks (on his bobble head day!) facing Chacin and Guerra.

Share this Post

Comments

  1. andcounting

    That was as excited as I’ve ever heard Pat and Ron, World Series included. At that point I was following exclusively on radio, and it was pure adrenaline. Probably their best call as a tandem.

      Quote  Reply

    2

    0
  2. SK

    These are already in the OV archives somewhere, but every few years it’s nice to hear Pat and (OG) Ron calling some slams and dingers

    One

    Two

    Three

    and, my all time favorite Wrigley Field crowd noise recording.

    Four

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  3. Myles Handley

    SK:
    These are already in the OV archives somewhere, but every few years it’s nice to hear Pat and (OG) Ron calling some slams and dingers

    One

    Two

    Three

    and, my all time favorite Wrigley Field crowd noise recording.

    Four

    Without checking, I’m willing to wager a shitload of money that four is the Kerry Wood HR. If it ain’t, I have no idea what could be better.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  4. Ryno

    Man, last night’s game was infuriating to watch. I had enough and turned it off once WAS pushed their lead to 3-0. They really needed to win that game.

      Quote  Reply

    4

    0
  5. Myles Handley

    Ryno:
    Man, last night’s game was infuriating to watch. I had enough and turned it off once WAS pushed their lead to 3-0. They really needed to win that game.

    This team really needs a spark plug. A real gamer. David……..Ross.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  6. Ryno

    Myles Handley,

    Am I alone in not understanding the fascination with David Ross? I mean, he’s OK and all, but they carried that motherfucker off the field after winning the World Series.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  7. SK

    SK,

    That said, I am not normally a fan of the premature HR call. I don’t care if its obvious from the second the ball hits the bat, there is a certain rhythmic build-up of the best HR calls and while it may seem dramatic to shout “Grand Slam” or “Cubs Win” before the ball leaves the infield, it’s not. It sucks most of the potential drama right out of it. I’ll make exceptions for the D-Lee call and Uecker’s classic losing side call above , but hey announcers, don’t miss an opportunity to showcase your stuff.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  8. Perkins

    I realize it’s only been three starts, but I have to think the front office is seriously considering picking up the 2019 option on Hamels.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  9. Myles

    Perkins:
    I realize it’s only been three starts, but I have to think the front office is seriously considering picking up the 2019 option on Hamels.

    Was thinking the exact same thing. It’s not unheard of – Verlander is clearly a different pitcher with his scene change. Not saying Hamels is quite Verlander…but I’m saying that Hamels is the best starter on the Cubs.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  10. dmick89

    I think the more interesting question is how bad could Cole Hamels be the rest of the way and still have that option picked up? My guess would be 4.50 ERA in a Cubs uniform all but guarantees that the Cubs pick it up. If they need to free up some payroll, they’ll find some team to trade Chatwood to.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  11. Perkins

    dmick89,

    I suppose another option would be for them to work out something like a 2 year deal with him, decline the option so TEX is on the hook for the buyout, and then bring him back at the lower price. Something like the Lackey contract plus the buyout money would make Hamels richer than if the Cubs had picked up his option, and he’s turning 35 in December, so it’s maybe less likely he gets a decent contract offer after 2019.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  12. Perkins

    Myles Handley:
    I’m almost 100 percent certain that one of the young position players (among Happ, Almora, Russell, Baez, Schwarber, Contreras) is getting traded this offseason.

    If the Cubs can sell high on Happ or Almora, I’d be pretty thrilled. I kind of doubt Baez or Contreras gets traded, though I’d love to see the Cubs get a backup catcher who frames pitches well. Contreras has regressed there in a big way since 2016.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  13. WaLi

    Hey all, long time no chat. I moved and no longer lived in Illinois so I need some help! If anyone is going to the game on August 27th and isn’t a Grateful Dead fan, can you please grab me at least one, but preferably two hats (for Me and my Uncle) they are giving away?

    https://www.mlb.com/cubs/tickets/specials/community-nights/grateful-dead-night

    It would be much appreciated and would be willing to pay/cover shipping costs of course.

    Please let me know if you could help! Email me at nicholas.d.amsalem (At) gmail

    Thanks!!

      Quote  Reply

    3

    0
  14. andcounting

    Ryno,

    Is there some Aaron Rodgers narrative that defies the eye-popping stats, incredible consistency, overall likability and perennial postseason berths?

      Quote  Reply

    1

    1
  15. andcounting

    Ryno,

    What makes that particularly laughable is how preposterously untrue it is no matter what NFL player you’re talking about. Football is the most unapologetically “what have you done for me lately“ sport in America. Quarterbacks who win titles early are dubbed overrated or washed up the moment they start to slip. Just a truly stupid take on every level.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  16. andcounting

    dmick89,

    (dying laughing), he’s actually one of the people I was thinking of. Obviously he got away with a serious crime because of his popularity/success/white-maleness, but he is pretty far from having a purely positive narrative.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  17. BVS

    Perkins:
    Hell, trade Happ AND Almora as part of a package for a SP, move Heyward to CF, sign Harper. Offseason complete.

    Still need a back up catcher. My guess is that it won’t be Caratini. Maybe you sign Weiters. I think he’s an FA after the year.

    If they sign Harper, then the basically have to move Schwarber, I’d think. So maybe Schwarber and Russell or Happ get traded for an SP. I suspect Monty will be gone too, because there won’t be a place for him.

    Fwiw, I’m on the fence with Harper. If he wants 10 yr, I’d say no. He’s so inconsistent from year to year. Also would have to seriously think about his worth vs paying our currently underpaid stars: KB, Baez, Hendo, etc. Does $35M/yr make sense if it means the rest of the core blows apart?

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  18. Perkins

    BVS,

    Bryant is probably the only player on the Cubs I think is more talented than Harper, so I’m okay with allocating the dollars there. I really like Hendricks, but his inconsistency last year and this year, combined with his low velocity, would make me more inclined to keep him on the normal arbitration path. I’d love to see extensions for Baez and Contreras, but I’m not holding my breath.

    I think I’d rather the Cubs trade Happ and Russell or Almora than Schwarber, both because I think they’d command more in trade, and because Schwarber has easily the highest ceiling as a hitter. Heyward can play a competent or likely even above average CF, and I doubt he opts out at any point.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  19. BVS

    Perkins,

    I assume everyone will be on the normal arb path at this point. Maybe you could get Russell to extend since he has been good but uneven last year and this, but would you want to?

    But 3 years down the road, when the Cubs are looking at Bryant’s contract and are already hypothetically paying Harper 35M, then you have to pay KB 35M too. Lester, Zo, and Q are off by then, but, assuming good production and growth from Almora, Schwarber, Hendricks, Baez, Contreras, Carl Jr. Happ (I have my doubts), you have a lot of guys that get expensive all at once, even without paying KB/Harper rates.

    I’d really have to go over contract lengths to see savings from our older guys, but my gut says there isn’t enough.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  20. Perkins

    BVS,

    My assumption is that by that point, they’ll have a ton of extra revenue from their own TV network and won’t care as much about the luxury cap. Or that the players will be ready to strike because of the CBA negotiations.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  21. Perkins

    andcounting,

    True, though at least this tax is to the league, and not to the government.

    My hope is that these particular rich people care more about winning than about paying taxes.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  22. Ryno

    dmick89,

    Ben is an interesting case. He was pretty good early on, but I think he was fairly overrated due to PIT’s two Super Bowl runs. The funny thing is that he actually became one of the better QBs in the NFL after the two SB wins and was probably underrated during the second half of his career.

    If it weren’t for the criminally underrated Philip Rivers, Ben would easily be the best QB from that insane ’04 class.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  23. andcounting

    dmick89,

    I’m curious about how luxury tax dollars get distributed. If it gets doled out like profit sharing money, I’d expect them to be particularly luxury-averse, especially if the A’s win the World Series and flaunt their public assistance money in everyone’s faces.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  24. Rizzo the Rat

    I get that Chacin has large splits, but La Stella ought never to hit fifth in a lineup (why not switch him with Happ?).

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  25. Perkins

    berselius,

    Adolfo had himself a pretty nice series there. I was at the first game of that series, and it was easily the best non-postseason game I’ve ever seen live.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  26. Rizzo the Rat

    Rizzo the Rat:
    I get that Chacin has large splits, but La Stella ought never to hit fifth in a lineup (why not switch him with Happ?).

    Case in point: I really wish it had been Schwarber or Happ hitting there in the first.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  27. Perkins

    On the plus side, the Cubs need only win one of these games to keep the Brewers back 3 and burn two more games off the schedule.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  28. Perkins

    Q, if you’re going to hit anyone with a pitch, maybe try Ryan Braun instead. Then at least he won’t hit it over the wall.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  29. Perkins

    dmick89,

    They are, but they’ve also got a tougher schedule going forward. Their record in the last month has been against a lot of scrub teams. Plus, there are only three more head to head games they have against the Cubs.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  30. Perkins

    dmick89:
    I hope Yu Darvish is really good when he returns because he’s the best hope of getting to watch a decent starter on the team in the near future.

    At least Hamels has looked pretty good. Hendricks too, except for the first inning.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  31. Myles

    dmick89:
    I’d much rather the Cubs lose a game like this than by a run. I also appreciate Quintana giving the game away so early so I can do other things.

    Jose Quintana: proudly allowing you to get on with your yard work.

      Quote  Reply

    3

    0
  32. Rizzo the Rat

    For what it’s worth, the strike call on Schwarber was worse than the one on Zobrist (the one on Zo was very close).

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  33. SK

    Perkins:
    Apparently Zobrist got ejected for telling Cuzzi his call was why players want an electronic strike zone.

    I agree with this dude both on his progressive desire for robot umps as well as his conservative defense of old school black cleats and sitrrups.

    You gots to know when to hold ’em, and know when to fold ’em … (& etc., et al, ad infinitum)

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  34. Ryno

    Alex Lange: 6IP, 2H, 0R, 5K, 1BB
    Brailyn Marquez: 6IP, 5H, 1R, 7K, 0BB

    2017 40th rounder Jeffrey Passantino is pitching really well in South Bend. Normally I wouldn’t care, but he’s 5’9″ and 225 pounds. I’m really rooting for him to make it to Wrigley in a few years when he’ll probably be 250 pounds.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  35. dmick89

    Perkins:
    Apparently Zobrist got ejected for telling Cuzzi his call was why players want an electronic strike zone.

    Ben Zobrist would get my vote for NL Player of the Week if I had a vote just for this.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  36. Author
    berselius

    To-day’s base ball squadron

    2B Baez
    RF Heyward
    3B Bote
    1B Rizzo
    CF Almora
    LF Schwarber
    C Contreras
    P Hendricks
    SS Russell

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  37. Author
    berselius

    berselius:
    (dying laughing) at those two balls called on Wilson.

    Too lazy to upload a screenshot, but he wasn’t squeezed so much as his strikezone imploded.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  38. BVS

    Ryno:
    Alex Lange: 6IP, 2H, 0R, 5K, 1BB
    Brailyn Marquez: 6IP, 5H, 1R, 7K, 0BB

    Snip

    Didn’t notice a post for Sunday, but I was at the MB Pelicans game and Justin Steele was on fire. 5.1 no-hit, 2Bb innings. 2nd batter in 6th finally got a hit. He’srecently back from a long injury layoff.

    Also DJ Wilson, the not-PTBNL-despite-rumors in Hamels trade had 3 strong hits and Andruw Monasterio made a fantastic play in field and looked good on bases.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  39. Perkins

    https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2018/08/15/jose-urena-drills-ronald-acuna-marlins-and-braves-benches-clear/

    Part of me thinks it’s hot bullshit what the Marlins/Urena did there. The other part of me remembers that the Braves are a trash organization that did the same thing to Alfonso Soriano in 2007/8 because he had a really good series, and caused him to miss several weeks with a broken wrist in 2008 after they intentionally hit him.

    Obviously Acuña had nothing to do with that, but I find it hard to feel bad for the Braves, and I hope they never win another pennant.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  40. Myles

    Ryno:
    BVS,

    The MB rotation is interesting. In fact, they’re the highest level of the minors worth following, imo.

    That’s what you want to hear, that your A+ ball squad is the highest level of minors that’s worth anything.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  41. Myles

    Ryno:
    Never mind. Myles is trying to make me irrelevant.

    I can leave the minor league minute to you from now on, I was just checking your theory out (you’re right) and decided to do it

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  42. Ryno

    Another thing about pitching inside. The whole “make them uncomfortable…move their feet…brush em back” thing is complete BS. It doesn’t work. When a kid starts playing kid pitch at 8, he gets hit. When he gets to be, say, 12 it hurts a bit more. When he gets to high school…

    — Michael Young (@MikeyY626) August 16, 2018

    A stupid narrative-destroying thread.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  43. Ryno

    Jaipur rules
    2:08 What do you think would be a better 2019 plan for the Cubs? Sign Machado to play 3rd, move Baez to SS and Bryant to LF and look to trade Russell/Schwarber. Or sign Harper to play OF, keep the Infield as is and potentially trade Schwarber. It seems like both offensively and defensively Option A might be better?

    Keith Law
    2:09 Option A is better than B, but is either really necessary? I feel like their offense is fine, and they still have some surplus there, but they still need and will continue to need help on the pitching side, rotation and bullpen.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  44. Perkins

    Ryno,

    To my mind, the reason you sign Harper or Machado is because you’re going to have to deal some of that surplus offensive talent for some better pitching.

      Quote  Reply

    2

    0
  45. Ryno

    Ron
    2:56 A question I just thought of because work is boring me: Who is the best team in the NL? My initial reaction is the Cubs, but the pitching staff and uncertainty with Bryant’s shoulder makes me nervous. Arizona might be the top choice, right?

    Keith Law
    2:56 Gut answer is the Cubs. I won’t argue Arizona.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  46. Ryno

    My take is you should stockpile as much controllable talent as possible. As the cream rises to the top, trade surplus and sign free agents to fill in the talent gaps. When your window is realistically closing, start the process over.

    Another of my takes is you should regularly draw atmosphere into your lungs so your blood can take the oxygen to various parts of the body and then discharge the rest.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  47. Ryno

    Ryno:
    My take is you should stockpile as much…as possible…cream…in the…gaps.

    Another of my takes is you should regularly…discharge.

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0
  48. Author
    berselius

    Ryno:

    Another of my takes is you should regularly draw atmosphere into your lungs so your blood can take the oxygen to various parts of the body and then discharge the rest.

    Don’t tell me what to do.

      Quote  Reply

    1

    0
  49. BVS

    Sometimes I think I could strike out Javy. Neither of us would know where the ball was going, but at least he’d swing. (dying laughing).

      Quote  Reply

    0

    0

Leave a Comment